Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1887-05-05
HIS LAST GOOD" DEED
A Hero" and Why a Young Cir
Would Save Him.
+" Please stop here!n

- Oe~~N sOsAN ~ AA4kAA<
"Please stop herer'
The street car stopped and young
girl stepped out. The car went on and
the girl stood hesitatingly a moment
on the crossing. as if uncertain in which
direction to go. But in a moment she
recovered from her uncertainty and
walked briskly down side street,
which was sparsely lighted by few
fiickering street lamps and seemed
very dark in comparison with the
brilliantly-lighted avenue she had just
left. 1t was only six or seven blocks
10 her home on University place, but
the street was dark and deserted and
she felt her heart tlutter little every
time she passed one of the dark abyss
NAL alleys that opened into the street.
She was just thinking how foolish she
had been to leave aunt's before Fred
came; but just the little element of
danger in going alone had attracted
her, and, pooh! she was not afraid any
way; besides it was only few blocks
more, now. She trembled little,
however, as the black mouth of anoth-
er alley loomed up in few feet ahead.
There was none in sight or hearing on
the street. She stared straight ahead,
not daring to look on either side.
mot sound, nor step further, or
I'll kill you!" croaked a hoarse voice
in her ear. Before she could realize
where she was hand was rudely
placed over her mouth, and she felt a
jerk at her watch and chain. then few
steps, blow. an angry curse, and a low,
gentle, "Calm yourself, madam!" All
this happened so quickly that she was
confused, but the quiet voice assured
her. She looked up and saw dark form
stretched on the pavement, and some
one bending over it in threatening
attitude. The next monsent her deliv-
erer came toward her and repeated his
assurance of safety. The man on the
pavement moved slightly, as if making
ready to spring up. The other caught
glimpse of the fallen revolver, and
just as he stopped down to pick it up the
footpad sprang to his feet and disap-
peared down the dark alley from which
he came. The gentleman started after
him, but in moment returned to the
girls side.
ut wouldn't pay to follow the rascal,
I'm afraid. You will permit me,
madame, to accompany you homer"
She cast grateful look at the tai
form at her side. He stood, looking
down at the pistol in his hand, in an
distracted way.
"How can l thank you for YOU
bravery" she exclaimed in a trem'
bling voice, as she put out her little
gloved hand toward him. He took it
but in an instant let it slip from his
grasp. She felt that his hand was
cold, and it seemed to her that faint
shudder ran through him as theil
hands met.
"Be assured, madame, that was nj
heroic deed. These wretches are cow
ardly fellows = cowardly - likezmy
self"
The first words were spoken in al
distracted, Indifferent tone, but thu
last words were spoken slowly and in |
tone so full of bitterness and contemp
that the girl started back in fear APP
parently he had unconsciously spokel
what was passing in his mind withou
realizing it. Then drew his left hant
across his forehead as if just aroused
from strange dream, showed his pisto
in his pocket, and said in lighte
tone:
Excuse my abstraction. Allow mi
to offer you my arm"
He walked along silently at her side
She glanced up at him shyly. He wa
tall and of good form. But his pal
face, set off by his black beard, hi
deep eyes, his whole bearing showe'
in the plainest way traces of sorrow
and great mental and bodily suffering
You have saved me, but you ar
unhappy; what is ite"
She felt his arm tremble as she spoke
"Yes. l am unhappy; but it is som
comfort that you have given me tn
chance to do one last solitary goo'
deed"
lone last good deed! Please tell m
what you mean."
"Wen, what is the use of concealini
it. can't cover it up if l would. l
has too strong hold of me. You cal
read it in my face. feel that ever,
man sees it. l said was coward
And it was because am a coward tina
saved you. Only an hour ago stoo
by the river and looked down into tn
black water-but no! Twas too COW
ardly to make the leap. gave mysel
an hour more to live. / was walking
the streets madly to arouse my stun
bering courage, when / happened I
come down the alley just in the nick 9
time. But where do you liver W
must hurry-the bour is over, and